Monday, July 29, 2013

Big Windy Complex Update

Bear Camp Road is now officially closed; see closure orders
at the above websites. Josephine County Sheriff’s Office, the Bureau of Land
Management, Curry County Sheriff’s Office and the Gold Beach Ranger District
are working cooperatively to provide staffing at the Bear Camp Road closure
checkpoints. Josephine County Emergency Services and Coos Forest Protection
Association, in cooperation with Oregon Department of Transportation, has
provided signing.

The fire has moved very close to the south bank of the Rogue
River; at 2 p.m., heavy smoke, aerial debris and active flame fronts were
reported by agency personnel. As a result, the Rogue River Ranch was evacuated
as a precautionary measure.River recreationists are advised that smoke will continue to
impact the Rogue River corridor. Rapid changes in fire behavior may force
closures in order to protect public safety.

Pacific Northwest Team 2 (Incident Commander Chris Schulte)
assumed management of the Big Windy Fire at 6:00 am this morning. The Incident
Command Post (ICP) is currently being established in Merlin.The fire team appreciates the use of the
Grants Pass Interagency Office during the transition to ICP.

The Big Windy Complex consists of three separate fires, the
largest of which is the Big Windy Fire on the south end; Calvert Peak on the
west and the Jenny Fire on the north end.